Energy Zapped

She looked like a zombie, and it wasn’t even Halloween yet.

“What is wrong with you?” I asked, as polite as I could. We were best friends and although I am psychic, I do try and live a normal life, with normal people and normal conversations. Being ‘on’ and ‘reading’ constantly would irritate most all of my family and friends.

“Where should I start?” Lila threw her purse down in the booth across from me.

The next hour I listened as my friend complained about kids, the husband, her job and the lack of money in the bank account, yet there was one that had me baffled – there really wasn’t anything wrong.  Oh sure, the kids were mouthy. The husband was cranky. The job didn’t pay enough. But they were all healthy, the mortgage was getting paid, they had newer cars, there was money in the bank and yet Lila wasn’t seeing any of that.

“So call me a half glass full gal,” I snickered, looking at her sideways.

If looks could kill, I was buried six feet under and all but forgotten.

“I can’t help it, Lila. You look like a train wreck and yet you didn’t mention one thing that you were grateful for.” I gave her a warning look. “And don’t say you have nothing to be grateful for!”

“I think I forget how to be grateful,” the pretty brunette said, tearing up a bit.

“I will start.”

For the next few minutes we played the gratitude game and exchanged the things were most grateful for. And then we took out a piece of paper and wrote down some things that could help remind us both to eliminate the nonsensical things in order to remember what matters. With her permission, I am sharing them.

1. Take an inventory of people in your life who give energy, and people who drain that energy.
2. Set Clear Boundaries. This goes for friends, family and coworkers.
3. Schedule time to stop and smell the roses.
4. Schedule time to exercise.
5. Walk away. If there isn’t a solution to the problem, walk away before you over dramatize it and give yourself time to think it through.
6. Write down 5 things you are grateful for – EACH DAY.
7. Instead of spitting out a complaint, look at the positive within it (probably the hardest one!).
8. Recharge and Self Care – Sleep/Meditation/Massage/Foot Soak, etc – so you don’t look like a zombie!

So don’t be a negative, scary monster or a energy zapped zombie this Halloween, spend some time taking care of YOU. After all, you won’t be any good to others if you aren’t balanced yourself.